June 19, 2010

Mavs would like to be 30-something on Thursday

As of now, the Mavericks have only the No. 50 overall pick
in Thursday’s draft, but don’t be surprised if that changes.

Donnie Nelson, the club president, has been busy conversing
with other personnel chiefs around the league and there appears to be a decent
chance that the Mavericks will try to move up to the early portion of the
second round, even though it’s probably going to cost them.

Teams with picks in the early 30s are asking for over $1
million for those picks and while that’s a step price, it’s better
than having a pick late in the first round that requires at least a two-year
commitment to whoever is drafted.

“We’re active as always and we are in the mix on
a number of situations,’’ Nelson said. “If the opportunity
presents itself, we’ll squeeze the trigger.’’

The Mavericks had some dialogue with Philadelphia about
Samuel Dalembert, who eventually was traded to Sacramento for Andres Nocioni
and Spencer Hawes.

Making the early second-rounders more attractive is the fact
that players in the draft from roughly 20th to 40th all
could slide in that range. A player that one team figures to be 20th
might be on another team’s board at No. 40.

“There are always surprises in every draft,’’
Nelson said. “This is like predicting futures, whether it’s real
estate, artwork, hog bellies, it doesn’t matter. Nobody bats 1,000. But
the scouts who have been around the block a few times have a proven track
record.’’